Multiple choice questions
Multiple choice questions are perhaps the easiest to complete, you simply put a cross in a box. However, the questions often have two answers that could, at first glance, be correct. Donât make the mistake of reading the first answer and thinking this is correct without checking all the others.
If it says 'Tick one box', you must tick one box. If you leave it blank or tick two or more boxes, you will get zero marks. These multiple choice questions will not start with command words like âdescribeâ or âexplainâ. They will be written in the form of a question like âWhatâŠ?â or âWhyâŠ?â.
There will be more multiple choice questions on the Foundation paper.
This page contains AQA material which is reproduced by permission of AQA.
Learn how to revise with Dr Alex Lathbridge
Listen to the full series on ±«Óătv Sounds.
Dr Alex Lathbridge breaks down how to revise for your GSCE science exams.
Sample question 1 - Foundation
Question
The figure below shows an incomplete electromagnetic spectrum.
| A | microwaves | B | C | ultraviolet | D | gamma |
| A |
| microwaves |
| B |
| C |
| ultraviolet |
| D |
| gamma |
What name is given to the group of waves at the position labelled A in the figure above? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | infared | |
| B | radio | |
| C | visible light | |
| D | X-ray |
| A |
|---|
| infared |
| B |
|---|
| radio |
| C |
|---|
| visible light |
| D |
|---|
| X-ray |
| A | infared | |
| B | radio | â |
| C | visible light | |
| D | X-ray |
| A |
|---|
| infared |
| B |
|---|
| radio |
| â |
| C |
|---|
| visible light |
| D |
|---|
| X-ray |
Radio waves have the longest wavelengths and the lowest frequencies of all the electromagnetic waves. Gamma waves have the shortest wavelengths and the highest frequencies.
Sample question 2 - Foundation
Question
Small water waves are created in a ripple tank by a wooden bar. The wooden bar vibrates up and down hitting the surface of the water.
The figure below shows a cross-section of the ripple tank and water.
Which letter shows the amplitude of a water wave? [1 mark]
Tick one box.
| A | J | |
| B | K | |
| C | L |
| A |
|---|
| J |
| B |
|---|
| K |
| C |
|---|
| L |
| A | J | |
| B | K | â |
| C | L |
| A |
|---|
| J |
| B |
|---|
| K |
| â |
| C |
|---|
| L |
The amplitude of a wave is measured between a peak and the rest position as shown by arrow K. Arrow J shows twice the amplitude and arrow L shows the maximum depth of the water.
Sample question 3 - Higher
Question
The wavelengths of four different types of electromagnetic waves, including visible light waves, are given in the table.
| Type of wave | Wavelength |
| Visible light | 0.0005 mm |
| A | 1.1 km |
| B | 100 mm |
| C | 0.8 mm |
| Visible light | |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 0.0005 mm |
| A | |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 1.1 km |
| B | |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 100 mm |
| C | |
|---|---|
| Wavelength | 0.8 mm |
Which of the waves, A, B or C is an infrared wave? [1 mark]
C
Infrared waves are slightly longer than visible light waves. B is a microwave and A is a radio wave.